It's no surprise that the gaming industry has evolved significantly through the years. With over two billion active gamers globally, there is no doubt that video games are one of the largest and most popular forms of entertainment. Because of this, developers find a way to improve the gaming experience of their audiences by continuously enhancing the quality of graphics and animation.
However, remember that the gaming industry is ever-changing. That means there will always be new game releases with much better gameplays than before, making it harder for gaming companies and fans to keep up. Studies show that the global video game market is expected to reach $413 billion by 2028 and is poised to grow even more. It will be pretty close to the new casino industry which is worth $565 billion. This challenges developers to grow their audiences by staying updated with the latest gaming trends.
Putting it in action might seem overwhelming, especially if you're an indie developer competing with industry giants. But it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips for keeping games current in a rapidly evolving gaming marketplace.
Hype up on Live Events and Conferences
One of the best ways to keep up with the gaming industry is to focus on live events and conferences. Many companies use live events, such as streams, for announcements and launches because they know that gamers are constantly looking for new content they can react to and watch. For example, ticket sales for large conferences like E3 are not available to the public, but all the announcements are updated online.
You can also use this as an opportunity to create virtual events for fans to get the latest updates about your game. This way, you will be able to stir up conversations and debates, increasing your levels of engagement and exposure.
Partner up With Influential Gamers and Bloggers
If you're passionate about gaming, you know that games advertised by influencers play a huge role in keeping up the hype. They are a great source of information, and many fans trust their reviews. Also, watching them enjoy the game is a great way to drive in more audiences. That's why it is a no-brainer for developers to reach out to them for promotions to get the fans' reactions to their launch.
Partnering with influential gamers and bloggers will not exhibit your marketing efforts; it will also help you find a good fit for your company to grow your brand. Most influencers only accept promotions that suit their fanbase, ultimately giving your partnership a sense of authenticity.
Trust the Power of Memes
Most gamers nowadays are younger demographics, which means they are the audience that is constantly online. Statistics show that 59% of gamers are under 34 years old. That's why making your brand voice appealing to the humor of younger audiences is crucial.
One way to do that is through memes, as they serve as a change from commercialized content and, at the very least, have a high shareability potential. You can also use social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit to post game-related memes. Some gamers play video games as stress-reliever. Doing this lets your audience know you're not taking things too seriously, enabling you to build a connection with them.
Post, Share, and Update Regularly and Consistently
As we mentioned, the gaming industry is constantly changing. But bear in mind that it doesn't happen gradually. The changes happen quicker than we can keep up with them. New games, trends, and memes appear and disappear. Some even consider cryptocurrencies as part of their game development. Thus, companies must frequently update to keep their social media feeds clear of cobwebs.
You can do this by announcing live events and competitions, promoting fanart or cosplays, posting press mentions and positive reviews, uploading videos and screenshots of your upcoming games, updating about in-game updates, and questions for your audience to encourage conversations.
Be Open and Honest When a Problem Arises
Aside from being passionate, gamers are well-known to be opinionated. It also applies when they experience a glitch or issue with whatever they're playing.
With that said, don't attempt to ignore issues or server failures. Be open and honest about your problems, if you have any. Because of this, many major studios have separate customer service channels to stop complaints from appearing on their primary social media feeds.
Foster a Sense of Community
Of all fandoms, gamers have some of the highest levels of vigor. Companies should use every effort to tap into the creativity and sense of camaraderie among their audience.
To put it another way, be sure to acknowledge your followers when they show you support. If you have devoted followers, don't be embarrassed to brag about them. With fanart's growing popularity, virtual photography's explosion in popularity, thanks to many games' photo modes, has produced even more user-generated content (UGC) that fans can share on social media.
Any effort you make to foster a sense of community is beneficial. In doing so, this community might even be the ones to advocate and market on your behalf.
As the gaming marketplace continues to evolve, it can be challenging for developers and audiences to keep up with new trends and releases. Following these tips will make keeping games current and staying updated easier.
